Potosí to El Cedral Trek
We are a local tourism operator with more than 10 years of experience in the coffee region.
Los Nevados National Natural Park is a magical place that will take your breath away. With its páramos, Andean forests, and glaciers, it is a paradise for nature lovers. This 2-day tour to Los Nevados National Natural Park is an excellent option for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
- You will visit Laguna del Otún at 4,100 m a.s.l.
- You will discover the páramo, one of the most important ecosystems in the world.
- You will enjoy one of the best views in Los Nevados National Natural Park: Paramillo del Quindío, Nevado Santa Isabel and Paramillo de Santa Rosa.
- You will hike down through native forests.
❌ Transfers from other cities to the tour starting point.
❌ Tips for our staff.
❌ Additional drinks and meals.
❌ Expenses not specified above.
❌ Trekking clothing and equipment.✅ Online pre-trip briefing.
✅ Local mountain guide in English or Spanish.
✅ Los Nevados National Natural Park entrance fee.
✅ 1 night of accommodation in a local countryside farm.
✅ Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.
✅ Daily snacks.
✅ Filtered water every day.
✅ Private 4x4 transportation to Potosí.
✅ Private transportation from El Cedral to Pereira.
✅ First aid kit.
✅ Medical assistance insurance.
✅ Tour photos.⚠️ If you need transportation from another city to the tour starting point, please contact us and we will help you.
Day 0 - Arrival and Online Briefing
You must arrive in Pereira or Manizales the day before the tour, so you can rest and acclimatize before the hike.Before the tour we'll hold a mandatory online briefing, scheduled as early as possible based on your availability and ours. We'll check that you have the right gear and share recommendations for the hike, so you have time to get organized or rent anything you need.
Day 1 - Discovering Laguna del Otún
Our adventure begins at 5:00 a.m. in Pereira, where we take a 4x4 to Potosí, a drive of about 2.5 hours. On the way, between Santa Rosa and Potosí, we stop for breakfast.Once in Potosí, we start our trek at 3,900 m a.s.l. On this first stretch we cover 6 km along a road leading to Laguna del Otún, with great views of Nevado Santa Isabel, Paramillo del Quindío and, of course, Laguna del Otún. We then descend about 5 km to Laguna del Mosquito, where the guide will pick the best spot for lunch.
After lunch we hike 9 km downhill, about 3.5 hours, to El Jordán, a farm at 3,100 m a.s.l., where we rest and have dinner.
Day 2 - Descent through the Otún River Canyon
We start our second day with a hearty countryside breakfast and a descent through the high Andean forest, where we'll have the chance to see abundant flora and fauna, and many waterfalls, on the way to El Cedral.When we reach El Cedral, we'll have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we'll share some final reflections on the tour. Our vehicle will be waiting there to take you back to Pereira and drop you off at your hotel.
What physical condition do I need?:
To complete this hike, you need very good physical fitness. To make the most of your trip, you should be able to walk distances of 18 km on two consecutive days. Much of the hike takes place at high altitude, so we recommend spending a few nights before the hike above 2,000 meters above sea level, especially if you live at sea level.Briefing meeting:
The briefing is held online. We schedule it as early as possible based on your availability and ours, so you have time to prepare your gear or rent anything you need. It takes 30 to 45 minutes: we check that you have everything you need and answer your questions.Where can I store my main luggage?:
You can leave any luggage you don't need for the trek at your hotel; most hotels store it free of charge.Pick-up:
We pick you up at your hotel in Pereira or Manizales. We recommend a centrally located hotel: if you stay far from the center, pick-up has an additional fee. We'll confirm the time one day before the tour.Return to the city of origin:
When we reach El Cedral, a private vehicle takes you back to Pereira and drops you off at your hotel.Reservations and advance payment:
This is a private tour, so you choose any date you like, with prior coordination. You secure your booking with a 50% deposit; the remaining 50% is paid on the day the tour starts, when you meet your guide.Accepted payment methods:
You pay the booking deposit through a Bold payment link, by credit or debit card. If you're in Colombia, you can also pay by bank transfer. The remaining 50% can be paid the same way or in cash on the day the tour starts. All payments are processed in Colombian pesos (COP).Important!
Days before the hike, pay attention to your diet; do not consume alcohol or drugs and do not smoke.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages or hallucinogenic drugs before or during the trek.
Do not extract any plant or animal species from the ecosystem.
Bring all your trash back to the city.- Backpack of at least 25 L
- Quick-dry base layer
- Trekking pants
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho or raincoat (poncho rental: COP 40,000)
- Sun hat
- Warm wool hat
- Buff
- Lightweight gloves
- Trekking socks
- Spare clothes
- Waterproof trekking boots (plus rubber boots if there's a lot of mud)
- Gaiters (rental: COP 40,000 per pair)
- Headlamp (rental: COP 40,000)
- Trekking poles (rental: COP 40,000 per pair)
- Water bottle or 2 L hydration bladder
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen
- Personal care products
- Towel
- Valid ID document or passport
- Extra money (recommended in COP)
.png)
Price per person:
Not applicable
*We accept credit card and cash payments
Choose the number of participants to know the price.
Potosí to El Cedral Trek
This trek is offered only as a private tour. You choose the start date, with prior coordination. Send us an inquiry or message us on WhatsApp and we'll help you with the booking.
IMPORTANT: At El Sendero we offer a wide range of treks, and not all of them run as group tours. To see all our destinations, click here.
Los Nevados National Natural Park is a magical place that will take your breath away. With its páramos, Andean forests, and glaciers, it is a paradise for nature lovers. This 2-day tour to Los Nevados National Natural Park is an excellent option for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
- You will visit Laguna del Otún at 4,100 m a.s.l.
- You will discover the páramo, one of the most important ecosystems in the world.
- You will enjoy one of the best views in Los Nevados National Natural Park: Paramillo del Quindío, Nevado Santa Isabel and Paramillo de Santa Rosa.
- You will hike down through native forests.
❌ Transfers from other cities to the tour starting point.
❌ Tips for our staff.
❌ Additional drinks and meals.
❌ Expenses not specified above.
❌ Trekking clothing and equipment.✅ Online pre-trip briefing.
✅ Local mountain guide in English or Spanish.
✅ Los Nevados National Natural Park entrance fee.
✅ 1 night of accommodation in a local countryside farm.
✅ Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.
✅ Daily snacks.
✅ Filtered water every day.
✅ Private 4x4 transportation to Potosí.
✅ Private transportation from El Cedral to Pereira.
✅ First aid kit.
✅ Medical assistance insurance.
✅ Tour photos.⚠️ If you need transportation from another city to the tour starting point, please contact us and we will help you.
Day 0 - Arrival and Online Briefing
You must arrive in Pereira or Manizales the day before the tour, so you can rest and acclimatize before the hike.Before the tour we'll hold a mandatory online briefing, scheduled as early as possible based on your availability and ours. We'll check that you have the right gear and share recommendations for the hike, so you have time to get organized or rent anything you need.
Day 1 - Discovering Laguna del Otún
Our adventure begins at 5:00 a.m. in Pereira, where we take a 4x4 to Potosí, a drive of about 2.5 hours. On the way, between Santa Rosa and Potosí, we stop for breakfast.Once in Potosí, we start our trek at 3,900 m a.s.l. On this first stretch we cover 6 km along a road leading to Laguna del Otún, with great views of Nevado Santa Isabel, Paramillo del Quindío and, of course, Laguna del Otún. We then descend about 5 km to Laguna del Mosquito, where the guide will pick the best spot for lunch.
After lunch we hike 9 km downhill, about 3.5 hours, to El Jordán, a farm at 3,100 m a.s.l., where we rest and have dinner.
Day 2 - Descent through the Otún River Canyon
We start our second day with a hearty countryside breakfast and a descent through the high Andean forest, where we'll have the chance to see abundant flora and fauna, and many waterfalls, on the way to El Cedral.When we reach El Cedral, we'll have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we'll share some final reflections on the tour. Our vehicle will be waiting there to take you back to Pereira and drop you off at your hotel.
What physical condition do I need?:
To complete this hike, you need very good physical fitness. To make the most of your trip, you should be able to walk distances of 18 km on two consecutive days. Much of the hike takes place at high altitude, so we recommend spending a few nights before the hike above 2,000 meters above sea level, especially if you live at sea level.Briefing meeting:
The briefing is held online. We schedule it as early as possible based on your availability and ours, so you have time to prepare your gear or rent anything you need. It takes 30 to 45 minutes: we check that you have everything you need and answer your questions.Where can I store my main luggage?:
You can leave any luggage you don't need for the trek at your hotel; most hotels store it free of charge.Pick-up:
We pick you up at your hotel in Pereira or Manizales. We recommend a centrally located hotel: if you stay far from the center, pick-up has an additional fee. We'll confirm the time one day before the tour.Return to the city of origin:
When we reach El Cedral, a private vehicle takes you back to Pereira and drops you off at your hotel.Reservations and advance payment:
This is a private tour, so you choose any date you like, with prior coordination. You secure your booking with a 50% deposit; the remaining 50% is paid on the day the tour starts, when you meet your guide.Accepted payment methods:
You pay the booking deposit through a Bold payment link, by credit or debit card. If you're in Colombia, you can also pay by bank transfer. The remaining 50% can be paid the same way or in cash on the day the tour starts. All payments are processed in Colombian pesos (COP).Important!
Days before the hike, pay attention to your diet; do not consume alcohol or drugs and do not smoke.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages or hallucinogenic drugs before or during the trek.
Do not extract any plant or animal species from the ecosystem.
Bring all your trash back to the city.- Backpack of at least 25 L
- Quick-dry base layer
- Trekking pants
- Warm jacket or fleece
- Waterproof jacket
- Rain poncho or raincoat (poncho rental: COP 40,000)
- Sun hat
- Warm wool hat
- Buff
- Lightweight gloves
- Trekking socks
- Spare clothes
- Waterproof trekking boots (plus rubber boots if there's a lot of mud)
- Gaiters (rental: COP 40,000 per pair)
- Headlamp (rental: COP 40,000)
- Trekking poles (rental: COP 40,000 per pair)
- Water bottle or 2 L hydration bladder
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen
- Personal care products
- Towel
- Valid ID document or passport
- Extra money (recommended in COP)
Potosí to El Cedral Trek
Download the brochure for this Trek in PDF
This brochure includes general trek information, location, itinerary, what's included, how to prepare, conditions and much more.
What is the tour like?
GALLERY
Good news from our clients
TESTIMONIALS
I felt safe the whole time: they take many measures so that everything goes well and to handle emergencies. It was my first time above 3,000 m, and I reached 4,100 m thanks to their great support.
Cecilia L.
Argentina
Without a doubt the best trekking experience of our lives, not only during the hike but also before and after it. Our guide was experienced and highly skilled, but also warm, friendly and wonderful company.
Giulia C.
Italy
While the trek was challenging, it was a great way to experience the beauty of the Colombian páramo ecosystem within the remote Los Nevados National Park. He shared his experience with trekking at altitude and kept spirits up with encouragement and regular breaks.
Abigail C.
Singapore
El Sendero are a super professional and attentive team!! They made me feel supported every step of the way. Daniel is super knowledgeable, friendly and patient. He went the extra mile and brought vegetarian meatballs as protein for my meals.
Caroline V.
Germany
